U.S. patent application number 15/157003 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for active vehicle interior trim panel with accordion fold.
The applicant listed for this patent is FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Invention is credited to S. M. Iskander Farooq, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Dean M. Jaradi.
Application Number | 20170334368 15/157003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60255076 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170334368 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faruque; Mohammed Omar ; et
al. |
November 23, 2017 |
ACTIVE VEHICLE INTERIOR TRIM PANEL WITH ACCORDION FOLD
Abstract
An active trim panel is for covering at least a portion of a
pillar in a vehicle interior. The panel may include a body for
covering the portion of the pillar. The body includes at least one
accordion fold for expanding from a first position with the body
closer to the pillar to a second position with the body spaced from
the pillar as a result of the expansion of the accordion fold.
Inventors: |
Faruque; Mohammed Omar; (Ann
Arbor, MI) ; Farooq; S. M. Iskander; (Novi, MI)
; Jaradi; Dean M.; (Macomb, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60255076 |
Appl. No.: |
15/157003 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 13/025 20130101;
B60R 21/23138 20130101; B60R 2013/0287 20130101; B60R 21/231
20130101; B60R 2021/0407 20130101; B60R 21/213 20130101; B60R 21/04
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 13/02 20060101
B60R013/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for covering a pillar in a vehicle interior,
comprising: a trim panel including a body for at least partially
covering the pillar, the body having an accordion fold for
expanding from a first position with a portion of the body closer
to the pillar to a second position with the portion of the body
spaced from the pillar while the trim panel remains connected in
position for at least partially covering the pillar.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body includes a plurality
of accordion folds by positioned on either end of a non-folded
portion of the body.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the non-folded portion is
rounded or curved for facing the automobile interior.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body has a U-shaped
cross-section, which U-shaped cross-section includes a connecting
portion adapted for connecting to the pillar, and a pair of legs
extending from the connecting portion, at least one of the legs
including the accordion fold.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body includes a rounded or
curved portion for facing the automobile interior.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the accordion fold includes a
plurality of pleats.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further including an inflator for
expanding the body from the first position to the second position,
and a connector for connecting the body to the pillar.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the accordion fold has a first
length in the first position of the body and a second length
greater than the first length in the second position of the
body.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a flexible
plastic material.
10. A vehicle including the apparatus of claim 1.
11. An apparatus for covering at least a portion of a pillar in a
vehicle interior, comprising: a trim panel including a fixed width
portion at least partially covering the portion of the pillar, the
fixed width portion arranged for moving from a first position
closer to the pillar to a second position spaced farther away from
the pillar, while the trim panel remains connected in position for
at least partially covering the pillar.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the trim panel includes an
accordion fold for allowing the fixed width portion to move from
the first position to the second position.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, further including an inflator for
moving the fixed width portion from the first position to the
second position, and a connector for connecting the trim panel to
the pillar.
14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fixed width portion
includes a curved or rounded outer surface for facing the motor
vehicle interior.
15. A vehicle including the apparatus of claim 11.
16. An apparatus for covering a pillar in a vehicle interior,
comprising: a trim panel for at least partially covering the
pillar, the trim panel including a non-expandable portion connected
to an expandable portion adapted for allowing the non-expandable
portion to move from a first position closer to the pillar to a
second position spaced farther away from the pillar while the trim
panel remains connected in position for at least partially covering
the pillar.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the expandable portion
comprises an accordion fold for allowing the non-expandable portion
to move from the first position to the second position.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, further including an inflator for
moving the non-expandable portion from the first position to the
second position, and a connector for connecting the trim panel to
the pillar.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the non-expandable portion
includes a curved or rounded outer surface for facing the vehicle
interior.
20. A vehicle including the apparatus of claim 16.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates generally to the motor vehicle field
and, more particularly, to an active vehicle trim panel with one or
more accordion folds.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Trim panels are typically used in vehicle interiors to cover
structures, such as wiring and the vehicle frame, and thus provide
an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the occupants. In one
particular region along the front, or A-pillar, of the vehicle and
the rail extending along the roof line, the trim may be used to
cover structures, such as the inner surface of the pillar,
electrical wiring or a side curtain air bag, but a sufficient space
between the trim and any components is often required to minimize
the effect of an impact with occupant head (which space may be at
least partially occupied by foam). This may increase the size and
resulting projection of the trim into the passenger compartment,
which can reduce the interior space or head room and potentially
even decrease visibility as a result.
[0003] Thus, a need is identified for a trim panel that minimizes
the amount of space occupied in the vehicle interior without
compromising the desire for spacing the trim panel from any covered
components to cushion against possible interior head impacts.
SUMMARY
[0004] In accordance with the purposes and benefits described
herein, an apparatus for covering at least a portion of a pillar in
a motor vehicle interior is provided. In one embodiment, the
apparatus comprises a trim panel including a body for covering the
portion of the pillar. The body has at least one accordion fold for
expanding from a first position with the body closer to the pillar
to a second position with the body spaced from the pillar as a
result of the expansion of the accordion fold.
[0005] In one embodiment, the body includes a plurality of
accordion folds, such as pleats, separated by a non-folded portion
of the body. The non-folded portion may be rounded or contoured for
facing the automobile interior. The trim panel body may include a
portion adapted for connecting to the pillar, and the accordion
fold may be adjacent to the connecting portion.
[0006] An inflator may also be provided for expanding the trim
panel from the first position to the second position. A portion of
the body including the accordion folds has a first length in the
first position of the body and a second length greater than the
first length in the second position of the body, which may be
expanded as a result of the inflator. The trim panel may comprise a
flexible plastic material to allow for the expansion of the
accordion fold to occur in the desired manner.
[0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus
for covering at least a portion of a pillar in a motor vehicle
interior includes a trim panel including a fixed width portion at
least partially covering the portion of the pillar. The fixed width
portion is arranged for moving from a first position closer to the
pillar to a second position spaced farther away from the pillar,
while the trim panel at all times remains connected to the
pillar.
[0008] The trim panel may include an accordion fold capable of
expanding to allow the fixed width portion to move from the first
position to the second position. An inflator may be provided for
moving the fixed width portion from the first position to the
second position. The fixed width portion may include a curved or
rounded outer surface for facing the motor vehicle interior.
[0009] Still a further aspect of the disclosure pertains to an
apparatus for covering at least a portion of a pillar in a motor
vehicle interior. The apparatus comprises a trim panel for covering
the portion of the pillar. The trim panel includes a non-expandable
portion connected to an expandable portion adapted for allowing the
non-expandable portion to move from a first position closer to the
pillar to a second position spaced farther away from the pillar as
a result of the expansion of the expandable portion.
[0010] In one embodiment, the expandable portion comprises an
accordion fold for allowing the non-expandable portion to move from
the first position to the second position. An inflator may also be
provided for moving the non-expandable portion from the first
position to the second position. The non-expandable portion may
include a curved or rounded outer surface for facing the motor
vehicle interior.
[0011] In the following description, there are shown and described
several preferred embodiments of the active trim panel. As it
should be realized, the arrangement is capable of other, different
embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in
various, obvious aspects all without departing from the active trim
panel as set forth and described in the following claims.
Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as
illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0012] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and
forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of
the active trim panel and together with the description serve to
explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side schematic view of a vehicle to which the
present disclosure may be applicable;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1,
illustrating the trim panel in an inactive or non-expanded state;
and
[0015] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the trim
panel in an active or expanded state.
[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
preferred embodiments of the active trim panel, examples of which
are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, which illustrate
a vehicle 20 including a front or "A" pillar 24 for supporting and
interfacing with adjacent structures, such as a windshield W, roof
panel 22, and doors 32, 34 (which may also include glass windows
G). The vehicle 20 may also include a vertical or "B" pillar 26, as
well as a rear of "C" pillar 28. Each pillar 24, 26, 28 may form
portions of the outer body panel 30.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.
As can be understood, the A-pillar 24 may be associated with a trim
panel 40, which faces the interior passenger compartment C. The
trim panel 40 may be attached to and supported by the pillar 24,
such as by connectors 43 or by using an adhesive A. The trim panel
40 may extend along all or any portion of the pillar 24, and thus
at least partially covers it and spaces it from the interior
compartment C in the mounted position.
[0019] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the active trim
panel 40 may be provided with a generally U-shaped, elongated body
including one or more expandable portions. In one particular
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, two expandable portions each
comprise repeating, accordion-style folds 42 or pleats to allow for
expansion and retraction of the panel under certain circumstances
(which folds are exaggerated for purposes of illustration). Thus,
for instance, as shown in FIG. 2, the panel 40 includes a first or
upper expandable portion 40a having three folds adjacent to the
point of connection to the pillar 24 by adhesive, and a second or
lower portion 40b having two folds. However, it is possible to
provide any number of folds 42, depending on the particular
circumstances, and also to provide folds on only the first or
second portion 40a, 40b of the trim panel 40.
[0020] Intermediate the expandable portions 40a, 40b is a central
portion 40c of the trim panel 40. This central portion 40c connects
the expandable portions 40a, 40b, but itself is not expandable or
folded. Thus, the central portion 40c may be of a fixed size and
dimension, such as width (that is, the dimension between portions
40a, 40b). This allows the trim panel 40 to present a consistent
uninterrupted face along the interior compartment 45, which may be
desirable for aesthetic reasons. This exposed face of the
intermediate or central portion 40c may be generally curved or
rounded in contour, and may be provided with a coloring or covering
(e.g., fabric) that matches the vehicle interior.
[0021] The trim panel 40 may also include a closing portion 40d,
which is behind the central portion 40c. This closing portion 40d
may cover the pillar 24 and form a cavity or interior compartment
45 within the trim panel 40. Thus, the trim panel 40 may include a
continuous cross-section, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0022] The trim panel 40 may also include an inflator 44 for
activating the trim panel to move from a non-expanded or folded
state to an expanded state. In one embodiment, the inflator 44 may
be positioned in the compartment defined between the trim panel 40
and the associated pillar, such as the A pillar 24. Inflator 44 may
be integrated with the active plastic trim as shown in FIG. 2 (note
connector 46). The inflator 44 may be attached to a cavity molded
in the inside surface of the trim panel 40, such as on connector
46.
[0023] The inflator 44 may be connected to onboard battery and
crash sensors by electrical wiring. The inflator 44 may thus be
activated in the event of a crash to deploy the active plastic trim
panel 40. When activated, the inflator 44 generates explosive gas
through chemical reaction which is then fed inside the trim to
expand the foldable or expandable portions 40a, 40b. Alternatively,
the inflator 44 may be filled with a pressurized fluid, such as any
compressed inert gas or air.
[0024] Once activated, the inflator 44 releases the compressed gas
inside the trim panel 40. This produces an outwardly directed force
(note arrows F) that cause the trim panel 40 to activate and expand
(note arrow E). As can be appreciated, this causes the accordion
folds 42 to at least partially expand, and thus trim panel portions
40a, 40b lengthen in a direction toward the interior compartment C
(note length L.sub.2 of portion 40b in FIG. 3, versus length
L.sub.1 in FIG. 2), but the trim panel 40 remains connected to the
associated pillar 24. Consequently, the central portion 40c moves a
distance D.sub.2 that is farther away from the pillar 24 relative
to an initial distance D.sub.1 prior to the expansion of the
accordion folds 42 forming the expandable portions 40a, 40b. The
resulting increased spacing, plus the shock-absorbing function of
the now-expanded accordion folds 42, allows for the trim panel 40
to soften any resulting impact against the pillar 24 by a person in
the interior compartment of the vehicle 20. Yet, the roominess of
the interior compartment C and visibility of the driver or
passenger is enhanced with the panel 40 in the non-expanded, folded
configuration.
[0025] As noted above, the panel 40 may be connected to the pillar
24 by a mechanical connector (including possibly a "Christmas tree"
type of arrangement), but other forms of connection, such as heat
staking, an adhesive, or the like may be used. The portions of the
panel 40a, 40b, 40c may also be a unitary structure, or separate
components that are connected together. The panel 40 may be made of
a molded, flexible plastic material, such as for example,
thermoplastic olefin. The size and number of the accordion folds
provided in portion 40a or 40b may be selected based on the desired
expansion and the particular properties or materials used, as well
as for aesthetic reasons (e.g., to minimize visibility to
passengers). The expandable trim panel 40 may also be used with any
part of the vehicle, including on the B or C pillars 26, 28,
without limitation.
[0026] In summary, numerous benefits are provided by providing an
active trim panel 40 according to the disclosure. As a result of
the inclusion of the one or more expandable portions 40a, 40b, and
a fixed width or non-expandable portion 40c (as well as an optional
backing or closing panel 40d to form a compartment for an inflator
44), the panel 40 provides a measure of increased safety by
creating a cushioning effect relative to an associated pillar 24,
26, 28 or combination thereof, without compromising the desire for
a low-profile arrangement when the increased cushioning effect is
not needed, and without impacting the roominess of the interior
compartment. As can be appreciated from the foregoing, the
expandable portions 40a, 40b of the trim panel 40 may be
implemented in various forms using existing materials and
techniques, and thus offer a ready solution to increase safety for
vehicle passengers.
[0027] The foregoing has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the
scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with
the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably
entitled.
* * * * *